Stella owned and operated Gregory Florist on Market Street in Mabank for a number of years. She was the oldest living charter member of Central Baptist Church in Mabank where she served as pianist. She was known to so many as “Mrs. McAfee” while she taught music at Mabank Elementary, as well as taught many children how to play the piano. In her spare time, when not entertaining her grandchildren and their friends, she was active in the Mabank Eastern Star , and played piano for many area community organizations and special events.
When her teaching days were over, Stella and her husband, Cozell, started McAfee Insurance Agency in 1982 where she assisted him until 1996 when they decided to turn the business over to their children.
Stella Mae McAfee is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers Chuck Gregory and wife, Nell, Homer Gregory and wife Kay, one sister, Elizabeth Paschall and husband, Cranfill and one granddaughter, Kaylee Mullins. She is survived by three children. Two daughters, Diane Mixon and husband, Royce of Eustace, Deedra Williams and husband, Stan of Mabank and Don McAfee and wife, Denise of Eustace. She was Nanny to Greg Featherston of Fort Worth, Lindsey Minyard and husband, Lucas of Mabank, Dane McAfee and Drake McAfee of Eustace, and Great Grand Nanny to Lavery Brignac and Linden Minyard of Mabank.
Stella was a part of many lives and blessed to call and consider them part of her family including Chad and Brandie Garner and daughter Bailey of Rusk, Texas, David and Ashley Brown and sons, Pierson and Liam of Ennis, Texas, and her very devoted caretakers for several years, Nicholis “Nick” and Kiesha Garcia and son, Daniel and daughter, Kahlie of Mabank, Texas. She cherished everyone that took a part in caring for her.
Serving as Pallbearers are David Gregory, Keith Gregory, Gary Jack Gregory, Nicholas Garcia, Daniel Garcia, Aaron Reeves. Honorary Pallbearers are Wayne Anthony, Bill Mullins, Ronnie Featherston, Bob Stryker, Paul Sutton, Wayne McDonald and Joe Pickens.
Voted as “Best All Around” in Mabank Class of 1949, Stella lived the part. She was a loyal wife, devoted mother and loving Nanny. She will be greatly missed….
